While Annabelle: Creation is by no means a perfect film, and nor is Sandberg the best director currently working in the genre – he doesn’t, for instance, have the sixth sense of a M Night Shyamalan or Fede Alvarez (Don’t Breathe, represent) – he has made a film that’s a vast improvement over its predecessor, and I would go so far to say, even the two Conjuring movies.

Having watched the previous films will help, but the movie is a legitimate standalone chiller. If there were a Horror For Dummies guidebook, Annabelle: Creation would make for a good chapter in it.

Annabelle: Creation is a welcome addition to the cinematic universe created by James Wan (director of The Conjuring and Annabelle), not to be missed by horror movie buffs. This horror universe is not far behind the Marvel and DC CUs, complete with origin stories, recurring characters and call backs to real life (keep an eye out for the Raggedy Ann doll, a nod to the true story behind Annabelle) – there are even two post-credit scenes, so don’t be in a hurry to leave once the credits start to roll!